Eurotunnel has 2 terminals: tourists and freight. Just to expand on my case to avoid any confusions (but I believe its generic enough for temporary export too) I'm moving house belongings from the UK to EU. Just happened that 3 of those are track motorbikes (2 with V5s). I had all necessary paper work in place (I didn't use Carnet, but the form to move belongings). My target country is not France, I'm just transiting thru. So on first attempt, I went to a tourist terminal, passed all passport controls, UK customs didn't care. Got stopped by French customs, told them I'm moving house belongins, showed them all the paper work. The moment they understood I'm carrying 3 motorbikes without number plates, they said they need to be declared (even tho I'm just transiting) at French customs that can only be accessible via a freight terminal. They escorted me back to M20, had to go back, buy another ticket (luckily can refund original). When you are in freight terminal, UK customs are more stricter, they are asking paper work. I showed them mine, they booked it as ATA carnet export. When I got to Calais, they have an automated system there they show a number plate on the screen asking to navigate to an amber lane that leads to Customs to declare stuff. Stopped there, showed the paper work, 10mins and they put necessary stamps and off I went. Few more points: 1. My story is not entirely "take a motorbike to Le Mans/Spa" type of thing, but 99% Customs will ask you whats in the van. 2. The was a guy behind me in the van carrying a Jet Ski. French customs stopped him as well and from what I understood he didnt have documents either. 3. I'm not 100% sure if ATA Carnet can be stamped by UK/French customs in tourist terminal or you have to always go via freight. I was sent to freight, but I didnt have ATA carnet. Best is to call them and ask.
That's 100% correct. The problem you're facing you have to go out and come back, so you're facing customs twice. I think the best thing to try is to put a number plate on the back of the bike and pray they dont notice slicks. Second best thing is Carnet.
The current consensus is: 1. If your bike is road legal, has V5, number plate -> take it in the van without any carnets. 2. If your bike is not road legal, even though it has V5 -> you must do a temporary export and apply for a Carnet. The whole thing is one big gray area, but this is how all UK TDOs are treating the current rules/state of things.
In our case, I go out with a small trackday outfit who kinda run it more as a 'Club' and the plan is that the bikes will all go out on the lorry, but we have been told Bike, 2 stands, 2 tyre warmers, 1 spare set of tyres and that's it. No kit going on stillages, no tools, no camping chairs and all the other crap. That way the Carnet can be done easier and we have a better chance of getting the bikes in and out, but I still think it's a huge risk.. I think there is a Carnet for the lorry rather than each bike, with the bikes being listed as contents, but don't quote me.... It could be slight irrelevant if the Spain situation continues to be a risk, but hopefully we will get to go.
Birmingham Chamber of commerce is the cheapest as I understand https://www.acu.org.uk/Uploaded/1/Documents/Carnet-Guide-Jan-2021-1.pdf Every carnet issued has an Issuing fee: Chamber Members: £205+VAT Other Members: £240+VAT Non-Members: £330+VAT Other members = ACU members I think Plus you either need to deposit 20-30% of value you carry or buy an insurance.
Cheaper option from.post 12 175 + vat plus the insurance guarantees https://nora92.com/racing-overseas-...EVl7f_TvsciFbbiC2oX_1nVN_ZZUfNXmw4I7JWRF2keUA
I wonder if it's the same for Scandanavian countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Andorra etc. Or maybe France has got the arse on with us. Germany will have. Especially after Tuesday night
Think I’ll sack it till 2022 based on this thread. All sounds a bit sketchy for now. I’ll wait until there’s a tried and tested method.
Carnet was around before the UK joined the single market. It was a nightmare then for Moto X competitors with bikes in a van going to compete in Belgium. Unlikely it will change any time soon.
